Uttarakhand HC asks ECI to consider virtual voting option amid Covid-19 surge

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• Jan 6, 2022 | moderator

Digital Desk: On Wednesday, the Uttarakhand High Court (HC) has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ban large election rallies, including the physical activities of masses on the streets.

Rather, Uttarakhand HC has asked ECI to consider only virtual election rallies and meetings ahead of upcoming elections.

A bench comprising of chief justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra and justice Alok Kumar Sharma said, "Let the Election Commission of India consider giving proper guidance banning large public rallies for ensuing the election for the Uttarakhand State Legislative Assembly. The Election Commission shall even consider allocating proper rules for campaigning virtually. We even ask the Election Commission of India to consider the option of virtual voting in the future."

"The ECI has been directed to file its reply by January 12, when the case has been documented for next hearing", stated lawyer Shobit Saharia, who represented the election commission.

This request is the second time the high court has asked ECI to consider banning large election rallies amid the nation's third wave of coronavirus surge. 

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Last year, the Allahabad high court advised the ECI and Central government to postpone the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections due to the increasing threat of the new Omicron variant in India. However, ECI has not made any changes regarding the UP elections.

Chief election commissioner Sushil Chandra stated media on December 30, 2021, that a decision on shortening big political marches and holding virtual rallies will be considered, according to the Covid graph.

Last year, ECI faced severe criticism for the conduct of the West Bengal elections. Again, the political leaders and large masses were seen breaking Covid protocols, which overlapped with the second wave of the pandemic.

Lawyer Shiv Bhatt stated that 97 elections had been postponed across the world. "I even advised the court regarding Arvind Kejriwal's public rally in Dehradun after which he tweeted, he was Covid-positive," he added.

There is a great threat approaching in the nation concerning the surge in positive cases due to the virus. Therefore, it has become crucial for the government to take effective measures to limit the increasing cases.